Karachi, Aug 07, 2008 -- Asia Pulse Data Source

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah Wednesday disclosed that $10-12billion Thar Coal Project to be completed within three years in collaboration with foreigner investors would generate and supply 1000MW electricity to Pakistan and India.

He said this while addressing a news conference at CM house. Referring to a recently held conference at World Bank headquarters on Thar Coal Project, he said 150 investors from 32 countries attended it and expressed their keen interest for investment in the project.

Investor companies of Germany, Poland, Australia and USA also held talks with us for investing in Thar Coal Project, while three foreign companies had conducted survey of the site, he said. Thar coal reserves are spread over 9,000 square kilometers and would be sufficient not only to meet the requirement of electricity of Pakistan but also India, as well, he said, adding extra electricity would be supplied to India to earn exchange for the country.

Qaim Ali Shah said many coal-based power plants would be established at various places in Thar, which would generate 1000MW electricity. Thar coal reserves will be sufficient to generate electricity for three centuries, he added.

Thar Coal Project would be linked up to Ketti Bandar and for this purpose a railway line would be laid, Qaim Ali Shah said, saying Benazir Bhutto wanted to develop Ketti Bandar. The investors of the project would have not to run to ten government department for tackling concern problems and only one organization Thar Coal Authority would solve their issues, he said.

The CM said the notification issued by the federal government for handling Thar Coal Project was due to a misunderstanding, while later it was withdrawn and right of Sindh province over the project was recognized.

Sindh government will deal the Thar Coal issue with the support of federal government and royalty of the electricity generated will go to the Sindh government, he said, adding millions of people would get employment by the project directly and indirectly. He said ground work of Thar Coal Project including road construction and supply of water and electricity has been completed while laying of railway line and gas supply would be executed soon.

Representatives of three foreign investor companies are visiting Pakistan in August 2008, while tariff of electricity per unit and other matters would be discussed in a meeting with them. The practical advancement on the project is expected within a week, as the Sindh government, as well as investors, want to initiate work, immediately, Qaim Ali Shah said. Investors in the Thar Coal Energy Conference held at World Bank headquarters also raised question over law and order situation in Sindh but they were assured of security, he said. Our coalition partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders should avoid to issue statement such as Talibanization in Karachi, as this might harm foreign investment in Thar Coal and others projects, he added, adding Pakistan Peoples Party is a liberal party and dislikes creating anarchy.

He said Thar coal reserves are the fifth largest in the world and a large number of developed countries like Germany and USA are generating most of their power from their coal reserves. He further said electricity generated from coal reserves would be cheaper than power generated from oil, or hyderal power.

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